Discover Long Forest: a hidden treasure on our doorstep

Long Forest is a unique bushland remnant south of the Great Dividing Range. This small woodland supports plants, birds, insects and spiders otherwise found mainly in northern Victoria, including mallee trees.  

Marilyn Hewish has spent 47 years studying the area, documenting its wildlife through records, photography, books and online projects, including a global nature platform with more than 4 million contributors. For her, Long Forest has been a source of constant discovery—and the end of many pairs of walking boots. 

A medical research scientist by career, Marilyn has also devoted her life to nature. Since 1970 she has studied native orchids across Australia and Canada; from 1980 she expanded into birdwatching, surveys, writing and leading excursions; from 2008 she focused on moths, photographing more than 1,500 Victorian species and working with Melbourne Museum; and since 2020 she has taken up plant study.  

Much of this expertise has centred on Long Forest, a mallee remnant near Bacchus Marsh—a journey she describes as challenging, but never boring.